POLICE arrested 15 people as part of a day of action to crack down on theft and burglary across the Redcar and Cleveland area.

Officers searched a total of 15 properties in the Redcar area as part of Operation Commitment.

The aim of the operation was to arrest suspects and recover stolen property.

As reported in the Gazette yesterday, among those arrested was a 12-year-old boy.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft. Detective Sergeant Chris Stone said the boy was later released with no further action.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested and charged with theft.

Three men, all aged 19, were arrested on suspicion of theft and bailed pending further inquiries.

An 18-year-old man received a caution for handling stolen goods, and a 16-year-old male received a caution for aggravated TWOC.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Men aged 32 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of burglary and released without charge. Men aged 20, 23, 22, 26 and a 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of theft and released without charge.

In South Bank, police recovered a motorbike which ha been stolen from Redcar on September 22.

Det Sgt Chris Stone, who led the raids, said: "The success of this operation is down to valuable information received from members of the local community.

“The information we receive from the public is vital to build up intelligence we can act upon, and I would urge those with information, however small or insignificant they think it may be, to continue to contact us."